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E BAPT 5 

B R O C 



BRIEF HISTORY 

OF THE 

STROM PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH, 

BROOKLYN, 

WITH 

THE DECLARATION OF FAITH, 

CHURCH COVENANT, 

GENERAL REGULATIONS, 

AND 

LIST OF OFFICERS. 



Nero f)ork : 

GEORGE W. WOOD, PRINTER, No. 2 DUTCH-STREET. 
1857. 






BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, 



The rapid growth of South Brooklyn, and the 
inadequate supply of the means of religious instruc- 
tion, induced a few persons to establish a Sunday 
School in a vacant house on Degraw-street, near 
Columbia, in the month of October, 1847. Among 
the persons who first engaged in this work were 
Messrs. William M. Price, Truman Richards, Dr. 
A. C. Burke, Mrs. D. P. Richards, Mrs. A. J. 
Downer, and Miss M. Downer. 

The number of children at first gathered into 
the Sunday School was eighteen, which number 
was afterwards increased to an average attendance 
of from fifty to sixty. 

In December, 1847, prayer and conference meet- 
ings were commenced in the Sunday School Room, 
with occasional preaching on Sunday evenings for 
the following six months ; after which time, with 
few omissions, preaching was regularly maintained 
on Sunday evenings. 

The rapid increase in the number of Sunday 
School scholars, and of the congregation on Sun- 
day evenings, soon required better and larger ac- 
commodations, which were found in May, 1848, in 
a small hall on the corner of Degraw and Colum- 
bia-streets, which was very soon filled, 

About the first of September, 1848, Mr. George 
M. Van Derlip, a licentiate of the Oliver-street 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Baptist Church, New York City, and a student in 
the University of the City of New York, who 
preached the first sermon in connection with this 
movement, began to preach regularly on Sunday 
evenings, and continued to perform this important 
service till the opening of the Sunday School Koom 
in Strong Place, where he preached the first ser- 
mon on the 6th of January, 1849. His faithful 
and acceptable services in connection with this 
enterprise are wortlw of special record. 

In the course of the summer of 1848, the call 
for the establishment of more permanent institu- 
tions seeming to be more and more imperative, 
the gentlemen before named, with others residing 
in that quarter of the city, held several meetings 
with reference to that object. At these meetings 
Mr. Truman Eichards presided, and the Eev. S. S. 
Cutting acted as secretary. Most of the persons 
who attended these preliminary business meetings 
were members of the Pierrepont-street Baptist 
Church, Brooklyn ; several, however, who mani- 
fested a cordial interest in the movement were not 
professors of religion. Committees were appointed 
to seek out suitable lots for a church edifice, and 
to inquire concerning a suitable candidate for the 
ministerial office. The committee for the latter 
purpose, Messrs. J. E. South worth, S. S. Cutting, 
and Wm. M Price, early directed their attention 
to the Eev. Elisha E. L. Taylor, Pastor of the 
Pierrepont-street Baptist Church, in the belief that 
his approved gifts and great success in the pas- 
torate of that church, as well as the cordial esteem 
in which he was held by brethren in this part of 
the city, who had not as yet joined in this move- 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



ment, furnished, with the divine blessing, a suffi- 
cient pledge of the immediate and efficient pro- 
gross of the undertaking. 

The committee, therefore, recommended an ap- 
plication to the Rev. Sir. Taylor, and in Novem- 
ber, 1848, he was invited to commence his la- 
bors on the first of January then ensuing, at an 
annual salary of twelve hundred dollars. 

The proposition was considered by Mr. Taylor, 
with an enlarged view of the facts in the case, and 
he signified his willingness to undertake the ardu- 
ous duties to which he had been invited. 

On the evening of the 23d day of October, 1848, 
a meeting was held at the usual place of worship, 
on the corner of Dagraw and Columbia-streets, 
pursuant to Lgal notice, to elect trustees and per- 
form such other acts as might be necessary for the 
legal organization of the congregation accustomed 
to worship in that place. Air. E. B. Litchfield 
presided, and Mr. A. B. Oapwell acted as secretar} r . 

At this meeting it was — 

Resolved, That this organization shall be known 
and styled, " The Strong Place Baptist Church, 
Brooklyn." 

Messrs. Edwin C. Burt, James E. South worth, 
and E. Darwin Litchfield were elected as trustees. 

The committee, on procuring lots for a meeting- 
house, reported the purchase of suitable lots on the 
corner of Strong Place and Degraw-street, which 
report was unanimously adopted, and the action of 
the committee confirmed. 

A building committee, consisting of Messrs. A. 
C. Burke, A. J. Downer, E. B. Litchfield, Truman 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Richards, James M. Burt, and J. W. Huntley, were 
appointed to act in connection with the trustees in 
superintending the erection of a suitable Lecture- 
room on the lots referred to. Plans were procured, 
and the work was soon commenced and carried 
rapidly forward. The Sunday School and Con- 
ference Eoom was so far completed on the 6th of 
January, 1849, that services were held therein 
that evening, and on the next day, Jan. 7th, the 
Sunday School, numbering about eighty scholars, 
and having had connected with it from its organ- 
ization about one hundred and forty, commenced 
its regular sessions in the new room. 

At a meeting in Jan., 1849, Rev. E. E. L. Taylor, 
M. B. Savage, and J. E. Southworth, were appoint- 
ed a committee to prepare a suitable Declaration of 
Faith and Covenant, to be presented as a basis of 
union on which to organize a new Baptist Church, 
and a meeting was appointed to be held on the 
evening of the 31st of January, to hear the report 
of this committee, and perfect a Church organiz- 
ation. 

Accordingly, on that evening brethren and sis- 
ters who had received letters of dismission from 
the Pierrepont-street and other Baptist churches, 
for the purpose of organizing a new church in 
Strong Place, assembled in the lecture room, 
where, after devotional exercises, the Rev. Mr. 
Taylor was called to preside, and Mr. A. B. 
Capwell was chosen clerk. Of the letters present- 
ed fifty-six were found to be from Pierrepont- 
street, and ten from other churches. The com- 
mittee previously appointed to prepare Articles 
of Faith and Covenant, presented their report. 



HISTORY OF TFIE CHURCH. 



and these having been read and separately con- 
sidered, it was unanimously 

Resolved, That we, the persons whose names are 
contained in the letters just read, do hereby adopt 
this declaration of Faith and Covenant, and by 
this act constitute ourselves, u The Strong Place 
Baptist Church, Brooklyn." 

At an adjourned meeting, February 7, after 
much solemn deliberation and prayer, brethren 
James B. South worth, Moses B. Savage, and Edwin 
C. Burt were chosen Deacons. 

The chapel was opened for Divine worship on 
Sunday, March 18. The pastor preached in the 
morning, the Eev. B. T. Welch, D.D., in the after- 
noon, and the Bev. J. L. Hodge in the evening. 
The public recognition of the church occurred 
April 18. The sermon was preached by the Bev. 
J. Dowling, D.D , and the charge was delivered 
by the Bev, J. L. Hodge. 

The church now recognized, possessing a large 
and commodious chapel, with the requisite grounds 
for the principal edifice, and enjoying the services 
of a pastor whose heart was fully in his work, 
entered at once upon a course of prosperity which 
demands acknowledgments of special gratitude. 
The chapel was almost immediately filled, the 
Sunday School was vigorously sustained and 
largely attended, and systematic contributions to 
benevolent objects were early arranged and suc- 
cessfully and liberally maintained. The rapid 
growth of the church is indicated by the follow- 
ing facts. The church was organized in the winter 
of 1819 with 66 members. During the winter ot 
1849-50 a very interesting revival was enjoyed, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



as the fruits of which 44 were baptised. The total 
membership of the Church reported to the Asso- 
ciation in June, 1850, was 156; in 1&51, 198 ; in 
1852, 219; in 1853, 291. In the winter of 
1852-53, the second extensive revival was en- 
joyed, over 50 baptisms resulting. The number 
of members reported in 1854 was 322 ; in 1855, 
354; in 1856, 375. This year was commenced 
in a more vigorous manner the Home Mission 
work of the church. From that time a missionary 
has been sustained in the more destitute portions 
of South Brooklyn, and two Mission Sunday 
Schools, these evangelical labors having had the 
special blessing of God. In the winter of 1856-57, 
the church enjoyed the most powerful revival ex- 
perienced in its history, over 100 being received 
to its membership by baptism. The number of 
members reported to the Association in June was 
500. About 300 have been received to the church 
by baptism since its organization. 

The Treasurer's accounts from January 1st, 
1849, to May 1st, 1857, show the following state- 
ment of amounts contributed by this church and 
congregation for its building, current expenses 
for support of the Gospel, and for benevolent ob- 
jects at home and abroad : — 

For the purchase of six lots of land, and erect- 
ing church edifice, with chapel, including ne- 
cessary repairs *$69,740 85 

For current expenses, for support of the Gospel 

among ourselves 28,403 85 



* There remains of this sum an indebtedness of $14,000, which has 
been provided for by subscriptions, payable in two years from April, 1S57. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 9 

For Foreign and Home Missions through the 
" American Baptist Missionary Union " and 
the " American Baptist Home Mission So- 
ciety 8,811 30 

For sundry benevolent objects, Bible, Tract, 
and Publication Societies, Mission Schools, 
Church Library, and Ministerial Education . 9,899 03 

In addition to the above, there have been sun- 
dry contributions l'or Universities and Theo- 
logical Institutions, upwards of 10,000 00 



Total §126,855 03 

It only remains to record, for the benefit of 
those who shall come after us in this church, the 
conditions and means under which, with the bless- 
ing of the Head of the Church, this prosperity has 
been enjoyed. In the first place, the church has 
had the steady and concentrated labors of its 
pastor uninterrupted, except by the Providential 
affliction of temporary ill-health. In the second 
place, there was early manifestation among the 
brethren, both official and unofficial, and among 
the sisters likewise, a readiness to second the pas- 
tor's endeavors by a cheerful and unremitted co- 
operation — and this habit has been maintained to 
the present time. Self-denial, labor, and expense, 
have been cordially rendered as exigencies have 
required. In the third place, the church has felt 
itself particularly called to the faithful maintenance 
of Sunday School labors, and to efforts for local 
evangelization. Out of this conviction have grown 
not only the Mission Sunday Schools, but the 
preaching stations of the church, and the blessing 
of the Holy Spirit has given from this source a 
harvest of souls, This record is made in no boast- 



10 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

ful spirit — with a painful conviction that we have 
fallen short of our duty and our privileges — but 
with a desire, while acknowledging the past bless- 
ings of the Father, Kedeemer, and Sanctifier, to 
indicate the directions in which, as we believe, the 
future prosperity of the church may be found — 
in the concentrated labors of the pastor, in the 
steadfast co-operation of brethren and sisters as 
his helpers in Christ Jesus, and in faithful labors 
for the conversion of the young and of neglected 
classes — these means used in dependence on the 
Holy Spirit and with earnest prayer for his bless- 
ing/ 



CHURCH EDIFICE. 

The early measures taken for securing a house 
of worship have been referred to in the foregoing 
sketch. It has been stated likewise that the chapel 
was opened for Divine worship in March, 1849. 
As the chapel and the principal edifice constitute 
in fact but one building, the whole the work of 
one architect, (Minard Lafever, Esq., of New 
York,) and conceived in the original plan, a single 
description will convey the best idea of the struc- 
ture. 

Extreme length of the church, including tower, 
lecture-room, and buttresses, 140 feet. Length of 
main building, including vestibule and chancel, 
94 feet. Width of church, including tower and 
buttresses, 71 feet. Width of main building out- 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 1 1 

side, 60 feet 8 inches. Length of lecture-room 
outside, <:8 feet 6 inches. Width of lecture-room 
inside, 31 feet. Height of church at apex of the 
roof, 54 feet. Height of side walls, 32 feet. Height 
of tower, 64 feet. The whole height of the tower 
and spire is 1>'2 feet. Length of side galleries, 68 
feet. Width of side galleries, 11 feet. Height of 
nave, 43 feet. Height of side aisles, 28 feet. There 
are 168 pews, 36 in the side galleries, and 132 on 
the main floor ; they will seat 1,1^0 persons. This 
church is of purely Gothic style. The interior 
being more elaborate than the exterior, deserves 
a more particular description. The wood-work 
is of black walnut, richly carved, and yet not so 
much so as to obscure that chasteness which per- 
vades the whole. The plaster- work has its share 
of tracery and carved ornaments, and is laid off 
and colored in imitation of stone. There are ten 
columns, 17 feet high and 1 foot 10 inches in 
diameter, from the top of which spring the arches 
which carry the walls between the nave and side 
aisles. The windows are of stained glass, hand- 
somely designed ; but the great feature of the in- 
terior, and a new one, is the traceried and carved 
spandrel which is here introduced, thus connect- 
ing the side- walls of the nave with the ceiling by 
a graceful arch, and with decided effect. The 
ceiling of the nave is pannelled with deep panels, 
the mouldings of which, like those of the arches, 
corbels, and cornices, have a peculiar boldness, 
and yet enough of richness to be pleasing to the 
eye. 

The chancel has its richly stained glass window, 
a beautiful desk, and a screen with traceried panels 



12 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

and carved heads, interspersed with quatrefoils 
and Tudor-flowers ; turrets surmounted by pin- 
nacles finished with carved corbels, crocketts, and 
finials. Within the chancel and beneath the desk 
is the baptistery, and it is so arranged that the 
desk is easily moved back, so that in a minute's 
time everything may be made ready to administer 
the baptismal rite in view of the whole congrega- 
tion. The organ and. choir gallery has a peculiar 
arrangement ; at the center of the pannelled front, 
which projects 2 J feet over the vestibule wall into 
the main auditory, and is supported by carved 
brackets, there is another projection of octagon 
shape, pannelled and finished at the angles with 
turrets ornamented with carved crocketts and 
finials. Within this octagonal projection is the 
seat for the organist, so that the choir are all in 
front of him, ranged on either side. In the place 
of curtains, as is usual, around the top of this 
gallery front a carved Tudor-flower is placed, 
which, in an architectural point of view, has a 
much better effect. The organ is a splendid one 
in tone and finish, and the case is not surpassed 
for beauty by any in the city. 

The exterior of the church is of brown stone, 
and though not so elaborate in ornament as the 
interior, has that often-neglected quality, adapta- 
tion, and the conformity of the several parts in 
making a perfect whole. The lecture-room fronts 
and has its main entrance on Strong Place, and is 
adorned with a triple window over the entrance, 
and towers at the corners, surmounted with pin- 
nacles and carved finials. The main tower, on 
which is the spire, is at the corner of the main 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 13 

building formed by the angle of the streets, and 
has an entrance to the church through it from 
Strong Place. The principal entrance to the 
church is at the center of the main front on De- 
graw-streei The principal features of this front, 
besides the main tower, are a small tower sur- 
mounted with a pinnacle, a large triple window 
over the main entrance, a diagonal buttress at the 
westerly corner, finished with a pinnacle and finial ; 
and between this buttress and the small tower is a 
side entrance, with a window over it to light the 
stairs ascending to one of the side galleries. The 
main tower is arranged for a bell and clock. The 
deep shadows of the broad projecting buttresses 
on the corners of the tower, and between the 
windows, have a fine effect. These buttresses give 
the long perpendicular lines peculiar to this style, 
and are necessary to support the superincumbent 
weight and to strengthen the walls. The spire 
(not yet finished) will be one of graceful propor- 
tions, judging from the drawings, and, like the 
whole, has the merit of being original in its com- 
position. 



THE 

DECLARATION OF FAITH 

OF THE 

STRONG PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH, 

BROOKLYN, L. I. 



We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men i 
divinely inspired ; that it is the only sufficient and per- 
fect rule of faith and practice ; and that, among others, 
it teaches the following important truths : 

ARTICLE I. 

That there is only one living and true God, infinite 
in every natural and moral excellence ; and that He has 
revealed himself as the Father, and the Son, (or the 
Word), and the Holy Ghost — the same in respect to 
Divine essence, whatever distinction there may be in 
some respects, — and supremely worthy to be loved, 
revered, obeyed, confided in, and praised. 

See Deut. vi. 4. Is. xliv. 24. Deut. xxxii. 4. Ps. xxxvi. 5, 
xxxiv. 8. John x. 15, 30 ; i. 1—13. Rom. ix. 5. I. Tim. iii. 16. 
Rev. i. 8. John xiv. 26, xv. 26. Acts v. 3, 4. I. Cor. iii. 16, xii. 
11. Mat. xxviii. 19. Ps. xxxiv. 8. 



DECLARATION OF FAITH. 15 

ARTICLE II. 
That man was created holy, but by willfully violating 
the law of his maker, he fell from that state ; by nature, 
there is in us no holiness ; we are all inclined to evil ; 
and, in that all have sinned, all are " children of wrath," 
justly exposed to death and other evils, temporal, spir- 
itual, and eternal. 

See Gen. i. 27, 28, 31. Eccl. vii. 29. Gen. ii. 16, 17. iii. 1—6. 
Rom. v. 12. Eph. ii. 3. Ezek. xviii. 19, 20. Rom. vii. 18. Jer. 
xvii. 9, 10. I. John, i. 8. 

ARTICLE III. 
That the only way of deliverance from this state of 
guilt and condemnation, is through the sacrifice of 
Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, who miraculously as" 
sumed our nature, or became incarnate, and " whom 
God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in 
his blood," having " so loved the world that he gave 
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, 
should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

See John i. 14. Luke i. 26—35. Acts xiv. 12. Rom. iii. 20 — 
26. John iii 16. 

ARTICLE IV. 

That all who truly obey the Gospel, "were chosen in 
Christ before the foundation of the world," by Him who 
sees " the end from the beginning ;" that in con- 
sequence not of their own merit, but of God's own pur- 
pose and grace, they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, 



16 DECLARATION OF FAITH. 

without whose influence none would ever repent and 
believe, as it is the duty of every one immediately to do. 

SeeEph. i. 4. Is.xlvi. 10. John iii. 6— 8, i. 12, 13. L Pet. 
i. 2. John xvi. 9, iii. 18, 19. Acts xvii. 30. Rev. xxii. 17. 



ARTICLE V. 

That the great Gospel blessing, which Christ of his 
fulness bestows on such as believe in Him, is Jus- 
tification ; that such justification consists in the pardon 
of sin, and the promise of eternal life, on principles of 
righteousness ; that it is bestowed not in consideration 
of any works of righteousness which we have done, 
but solely through his own redemption and right- 
eousness ; that it brings us into a state of most blessed 
peace and favor with God, securing every other blessing 
needful for time and eternity. 

See I. John L 16. Acts xiii. 39. Rom. v. 9, 17, iv. 4, 5, v. 19, 
iii. 24. I. John ii. 12. Rom. v. i, 2, 11. I Cor. i. 30. Matt. vi. 
36. I. Tim. iv. 8. 

ARTICLE VI. 

That nothing can separate true believers from the 
love of God ; that they will be " kept by the power of 
God, through faith, unto salvation ;" the sure and 
final proof of their being true believers, consisting in the 
continuance of their attachment and obedience to Christ 
till the close of life. 

See I. Pet. i. 5. John x. 27—29. I. John ii. 19. Matt. xxiv. 13. 



DECLARATION OF FAITH. 17 

ARTICLE VII. 

That a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of 
baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith 
and fellowship of the Gospel — observing the ordinances 
of Christ — governed by His laws, and exercising the 
gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His 
Word; that its only proper officers are Bishops or 
Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and 
duties, are more specially defined in the epistles to 
Timothy and Titus. 

See I. Cor. i. 1—13. Matt, xviii. 17. Acts v. 11, viii. 1. xi. 36. 
I. Cor. iv. 17, xiv. 23. I. Tim. iii. 5. Acts ii. 41, 42. II. Cor. 
viii. 5. 1. Cor. v. 12, 13, xi. 2, 23, iv. 17. Mat. xviii. 15—20. 
Matt, xx viii. 20. John xiv. 15, xv. 12. Eph. iv. 7. Philip, i. 1. 
Acts xiv. 23, xv. 22. I. Tim. iii. 

ARTICLE VIII. 
That the only proper subjects of Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper, are professed believers ; that baptism is 
really and validly administered only by immersion " in 
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;" and 
that it is, by scriptural example, a pre-requisite to church 
relationship and communion at the Lord's Table. 

See Matt. iii. 6—12, xxviii. 19, 20. Acts viii. 12, 37. Rom. 
vi. 1—13. Col. ii. 12. I. Pet. iii. 21, ii. 9. Acts ii. 37—42. 

ARTICLE IX. 

That according to the example of the apostles and 

earliest disciples, sanctioned by the repeated presence of 

Christ himself, after his resurrection, the first day of the 

2* 



18 CHURCH COVENANT. 

week is to be observed as the Lord's Day, or Christian 
Sabbath. 

See Mark ii. 28. John xx. 19, 26. I. Cor. xvi. 1, 2. Acts xx. 
7. Rev. i. 10. 

ARTICLE X. 

That there will be a resurrection of the just and the 
unjust ; and that the Lord Jesus Christ will come to 
judge both the living and the dead — when those who 
shall have continued or died impenitent and unreconciled 
to God, will be sentenced to endless punishment, accord- 
ing to the desert of their sins ; and those who shall have 
truly repented and turned to God, relying solely on the 
merits of Him who suffered " the just for the unjust," 
will be completely delivered from the dominion of sin, 
and be admitted into the holy and heavenly mansions 
with fulness of joy ; so shall they be forever with the 
Lord. 

See John v. 28, 29. Acts xvii. 30, 31. John viii. 21, 24. 
Matt. xxv. 46. John xiv. 2, 3. I. Thess. iv. 14— 17. Rev. xx. 
12, 13. Rom. ii. 4—16. II. Cor. v. 10. II. Pet. iii. 7—14. 



CHURCH COVENANT, 

As we trust that we have been brought by divine 
grace to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up 
ourselves to Him, so we do now, relying on His gracious 
aid, solemnly covenant with each other and promise, 



CHURCH COVENANT. 19 

that we will walk together in brotherly love, as be- 
comes the members of a Christian church; that we 
will exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness 
over each other, and faithfully admonish and en- 
treat one another as occasion may require; that we will 
not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor 
neglect to pray for ourselves and for others ; that we 
will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be 
under our care, " in the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord," and by a pure and lovely example, to win our 
kindred and acquaintance, to the Saviour, to holiness, 
and to eternal life ; that we will rejoice at each other's 
happiness, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy, 
to bear each other's burdens and sorrows ; that we will 
live circumspectly in the world, denying ungodliness 
and worldly lusts, setting a worthy example, and re- 
membering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by 
baptism, and have been raised up from the emblematical 
grave, so there is on us a special obligation, henceforth 
to lead a new and holy life ; that we will strive together 
for the support of a faithful, evangelical ministry among 
us; that, according to our ability and opportunities, we 
will, as faithful stewards of the Lord, do good to all 
men, especially in helping to extend the Gospel in its 
purity and power to the whole human family ; and that, 
through life, amidst evil report and good report, we will 
humbly and earnestly seek to live to the glory of Him 
who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous 
light. 



20 



GENERAL REGULATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. 



There are usually three public Services on each 
Lord's day. Preaching morning and afternoon, and a 
social meeting for Prayer and Conference in the Chapel 
in the evening. 

The Monthly Concert of Prayer for missions is ob- 
served on the first Lord's day evening of each month. 

The Concert of Prayer for Sunday Schools, on the 
second Sunday evening of the month. 

The Lord's Supper is regularly observed on the aft- 
ernoon of the first Lord's day of every month ; and 
when there are Candidates, the Ordinance of Baptism 
is usually administered in connection with the morn- 
ing service of the same day. 

The regular Monthly Church Meeting is held on 
Tuesday evening, before the first Lord's day of each 
month. 

The Pastor is uniformly in his study to receive calls 
for religious conversation, and with reference to mem- 
bership with the Church, Monday afternoon and evening, 
preceding the Church meeting. 

A weekly Prayer and Conference Meeting is held on 
Friday evening ; a weekly Lecture on Wednesday 
evening, ordinarily from January till May. 

The Sunday School meets six months of the year, 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 21 

beginning with May, at nine o'clock in the morning, 
and during the remaining six months at two in the 
afternoon. The bell rings fifteen minutes before the 
time of its meeting. 



BENEVOLENT CONTRIBUTIONS. 

A system of Monthly Contributions for Home and 
Foreign Missions has been in operation since the organ- 
ization of the Church, which the members of both Church 
and Congregation are earnestly desired to adopt. 

Besides these collections there is a public collection 
during the months of January and February for the 
Bible Cause. 

March and April for the Tract Cause. 

May and June for the State Convention and Ministers' 
Widows' Fund. 

July and August for the Sunday Schools. 

September and October for the Publication Society. 

November and December for Ministerial Education. 

A collection is taken on the last Sabbath of the year 
for the Church Library. 

Collections are taken on Thanksgiving Day and at 
the Lord's Supper every month for the poor of the 
Church and Congregation. No other public collections 
are taken up except by a special vote of the Church. 

The collections made for the poor are dispensed by 
the Deacons, and accounted for in gross by the Treas- 
urer. 

All collections for whatever objects are required to 



22 GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

be paid in full into the Treasury of the Church, and to 
be reported by the Treasurer in his annual account, to 
be audited by a Committee from the Trustees. 

The temporalities of the Church and Congregation 
are under the direction of a Board of nine Trustees di- 
vided into three equal classes, one-third of whom are 
elected at each annual meeting of the Society in Oc- 
tober. Their names will be found, for convenience 
of reference in the renting of Pews, &c, in the general 
list of officers. 



CHURCH LIBRARY. 

A valuable Library is being collected, which is open 
every alternate Saturday evening for one hour by the 
Librarian, when books, under certain restrictions, may 
be drawn from it by any member of the Church or Con- 
gregation. 



ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 

A Special Committee of two is appointed on all ap- 
plications for membership with the Church, whose ex- 
aminations relative to the personal piety, and moral 
character, and views of doctrine are expected to be par- 
ticular, and, if satisfied, so to report previous to the vote 
being taken on their reception. If not satisfied they 
have authority to postpone the appearance of the ap- 
plicant before the Church. 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 23 

REMOVAL OF MEMBERS. 

It is expected of all members who remove from 
the City, to any place where there is a regular Baptist 
Church, anticipating a return within a year, that they 
take from the Pastor, and present to the Church, a let- 
ter of Commendation for occasional Communion. 

In case of a removal of members for any longer 
period, they are expected to ask for a letter of dismission 
from the Church, to some regular Baptist Church in 
their neighborhood ; if there be none such within a 
convenient distance, they are required to give year- 
ly information to the Church, of their residence and 
spiritual condition. Neglect of this, subjects any such 
member to the discipline of the Church, and a final 
withdrawal of fellowship. 



OFFICERS, 



PASTOR. 
Ret. E. E. L. TAYLOR, D. D. 

DEACONS. 

J. E. SOUTHWORTH, 
MOSES B. SAVAGE, 
A. C. BURKE, 
PALMER TOWNSEND, 
DWIGHT SPENCER, 
A. F. ROBERTS, 
J. K. SAMSON, 

CLERK. 
EDWARD D. BURT. 

LIBRARIAN. 
ERASTUS EVERETT. 



TRUSTEES. 

E. B. LITCHFIELD, President. 
E. D. LITCHFIELD, Secretary. 
GEORGE ALLIN, Treasurer. 
JAMES E. SOUTHWORTH. 
JOHN BARTER. 
JAMES M. BURT. 
LEWIS ROBERTS. 
R. S. CHAPEL. 
JOHN P. ALLISON. 



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